The Appian Way, or Via Appia was named after Appius Claudius Caecus. The first section was a military road to the south, completed in 312 BC.
By the late Republic the Romans had expanded over most of Italy and were masters of road construction. Their roads began at Rome and extended to the borders of their domain…All roads lead to Rome.
Some of the road still exists and is used by vehicles. It is also possible to follow the Appia on foot for about 16 kilometres from its beginning near the Baths of Caracalla.
Once you leave the city there is some interesting scenery along the way. In particular, there is an ancient aqueduct well worth a visit.
The old bricks seem to be holding up well.
I wonder if the golfers ever stop to just take in the view.
Rome has a never ending stock of ancient delights to see.
Those Romans had some really, really good engineers!
By: Yvonne on January 12, 2015
at 8:15 am
Very clever indeed. Things were built to last.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 12, 2015
at 8:17 am
Nice one. It’s a pity that the Appian way doesn’t have more TLC spent on it, however.
By: Francis on January 12, 2015
at 8:18 am
I think Italy doesn’t have enough money to take care of all of its ancient things.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 12, 2015
at 8:28 am
Wonderful framed shots of trees and the Appia.
By: roamingpursuits on January 12, 2015
at 8:33 am
Those arches are very photogenic.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 12, 2015
at 9:29 am
Yes Deb. The magic of Rome. Keeps calling us back with it’s endless delightful sites/sights. Many more than in the traditional tourist guide book.
By: Lyn on January 12, 2015
at 8:42 am
I love Rome. There is much to see and do.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 12, 2015
at 9:30 am
Very nice!
By: M E Cheshier on January 12, 2015
at 9:21 am
The aqueduct is very impressive. It is enormous and seems to go on forever.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 12, 2015
at 9:42 am
I bet it is an amazing site to see!
By: M E Cheshier on January 12, 2015
at 5:47 pm
Bucket listed Rome. I wasn’t that fussed before seeing your perspective. Lovely 🙂
By: fluidicthought on January 12, 2015
at 9:25 am
I know that Rome can be crowded and chaotic, but try going in winter or early spring, or late autumn when there are fewer people about. It is a fascinating city.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 12, 2015
at 9:43 am
Great photos as usual. I seem to remember, though, that thousands of slaves were crucified along the length of the Appian Way and their bodies left to rot as a warning to other rebels. I hope the ghosts of those slaves don’t disturb your next visit!
By: pheroneous on January 12, 2015
at 9:57 am
Oh dear! I have been to Zanzibar and we saw the underground prisons where slaves were kept before their terrible voyages. People do terrible things to each other all over the world.
I would have to sit quietly in my room to avoid stepping on ghosts.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 12, 2015
at 10:05 am
The history of Roman roads (or “viae”) is very interesting and it is amazing to realize how many of these are sill been used. This is a useful link to understand their history http://www.crystalinks.com/romeroads.html
Great photos, Debra!
By: Mulino Dominillo on January 12, 2015
at 12:22 pm
Thank you for the link. The Romans were certainly busy.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 12, 2015
at 12:40 pm
The sight continues to be magical after many years … and hopefully they stand for many more!
By: aFrankAngle on January 12, 2015
at 12:44 pm
I am always astounded to see these ancient structures still standing.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 12, 2015
at 10:14 pm
The scale of these ancient structures are quite incredible. What a lot of manpower they must have used. 🙂
By: anotherday2paradise on January 12, 2015
at 3:21 pm
I’m sure lots of people suffered to build these things. There was no occupational health and safety in those days.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 12, 2015
at 10:14 pm
I feel like i’m treading on the most ancient place in Rome when i’m on the Appian Way. I think of the apostle Paul being brought up to Rome in chains along the Appian Way. Well documented and love the photos!
By: timelessitaly on January 12, 2015
at 4:20 pm
When I am in Rome I am always amazed to think I could be walking on streets that Caesar once walked on.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 12, 2015
at 10:17 pm
Love your photos as always Deb. Rome was crowded when we went in April, but it didn’t deter me. I wish I had seen the Appian way- what an amazing back drop for the golfers. Such a brilliant juxtaposition of old and new. There is still so much to discover, I need to make that trip happen.
By: meditatingmummy on January 12, 2015
at 7:50 pm
I am often in Rome in winter when there are fewer crowds, but the city is always popular.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 12, 2015
at 10:19 pm
Glorious images….those ancient and delightful golfers look pretty good too!!!! Only joking Deb!
Seriously, the very first time we drove into Rome and I saw a signpost on the side of the road that read “Appian Way” I was blown away!!!!!!!!!!
So ancient but still hanging in there. Good motto to live by I guess.
Ciao
R
By: Paris Rendez-Vous and Beyond on January 12, 2015
at 8:49 pm
I thought is was amusing to see people playing golf beside this amazing aqueduct. Surely they must look up sometimes and take in the sights.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 12, 2015
at 10:20 pm
I thought the photo of the golfers with the Roman aqueduct as their ‘back cloth’ was such an interesting one. Such an astonishing contrast. I suppose their familiarity with it must take away some of the awe, but I would have to put my hand on the stones just to ‘feel’ the history – and I guess that does its share of harm as well. Lovely photos.
By: Jan on January 13, 2015
at 1:37 am
I touched the stones and have possibly scarred them forever, didn’t think of that. I love the fact that golfers calmly play beside and ancient wonder.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 13, 2015
at 8:45 am
Love that last shot with those 5 trees!
By: suej on January 13, 2015
at 8:17 am
I was pretty happy with that one.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 13, 2015
at 8:46 am
Reblogged this on Kappa Language School Blog.
By: Kappa Language School on January 13, 2015
at 11:53 am
There is an Appian Way in Dublin which I sometimes drive down so it’s lovely to see images of the original.
By: Just Add Attitude on January 13, 2015
at 2:27 pm
There are certainly some sights to see on the old road.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 13, 2015
at 8:56 pm
Fascinating! I do enjoy your history lessons Debra! One gets so lazy living here and it’s easy to forget how much history there is around us in Italy. I think I drove home along a road set out by the Romans this afternoon – near Abano Terme where they established baths! Incredible really.
By: Catherine on January 13, 2015
at 7:57 pm
I do try not to take things for granted when I spend months at a time in Italy. Having a camera with me at all times helps.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 13, 2015
at 8:58 pm
Amazing structures and what a great photo of the trees.
By: Jim & Kerry on January 13, 2015
at 11:47 pm
The aqueduct is incredible. It was pretty easy to get some good photos there.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 14, 2015
at 2:34 am
Aqueducts are fun to walk around and explore esp. in Italy and that you know and expect how ancient they look and significant they were.
By: rommel on January 21, 2015
at 3:46 pm